Illuminated articles

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to the field of illuminated articles including, but not limited to, illuminated intimate apparel. In practicing an embodiment of the present invention, one may weave, embroider, or by other means attach optical fibers to lingerie to form geometric patterns that are aesthetically pleasing. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of one or more optical fibers are interwoven or connected by other means to an article of intimate apparel. A first end of the each fiber may be connected directly to an article and/or connected along an article and bent so as to emit light at selected points. The opposite end of each optical fiber is permanently or removably connected to a light emitting diode (“LED”) or other suitable light source to provide light energy through the optical fiber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a non-provisional of provisional application No. 60/319,047, filed on Dec. 28, 2001, entitled Illuminated Articles.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of illuminated articles including, but not limited to, illuminated intimate apparel.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0003] While lingerie has a practical utility in clothing people, the lingerie field is dominated by products that have aesthetic qualities. Lace, colored prints, and embroidery are among the treatments applied to lingerie to enhance the style and beauty of lingerie. Textures of fabric and colors are also varied to create the enormous variety found in the lingerie product lines currently available. Many overgarments are designed to expose some portions of undergarments to take advantage of the aesthetic value of the lingerie. However, at night or in poorly lit circumstances, much of the aesthetic value of the lingerie is lost.

[0004] In practicing an embodiment of the present invention, one may weave, embroider, or by other means attach optical fibers to lingerie to form geometric patterns that are aesthetically pleasing. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of one or more optical fibers are interwoven or connected by other means to an article of intimate apparel. A first end of the each fiber may be connected directly to an article and/or connected along an article and bent so as to emit light at selected points. The opposite end of each optical fiber is permanently or removably connected to a light emitting diode (“LED”) or other suitable light source to provide light energy through the optical fiber. The light energy may be random, steady state, or operate at a predetermined frequency. An integrated circuit chip may be provided to control the pattern of the light emitted energy. The patterns can be geometric, artistic, symbolic, numeric, graphic, and/or may contain words. The lingerie may include panties, bras, hosiery, briefs, boxers, socks, nighties, pajamas, and/or any other intimate apparel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The foregoing and other features and aspects of the subject invention will be best understood with reference to the accompanying drawings of a specific embodiment of the invention, wherein:

[0006]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0007]FIG. 2 is an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] Refer now to the drawings wherein depicted elements are not necessarily shown to scale and wherein like or similar elements are designated by the same reference numeral through the several Figures.

[0009]FIG. 1 is a side view of an illuminated article of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 10. Illuminated article 10 includes an optical fiber or light pipe 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. An LED (not shown) is connected to an end 14 or 16 to transmit light through optical fiber 12. In a preferred embodiment, optical fiber 12 is interwoven with fabric fibers 18 in a manner such that optical fiber 12 is bent to form nodes 13. An optical coupling 20 is functionally connected to nodes 13. Elements 22, such as gems (real or imitated), may be connected to optical coupling 20 proximate nodes 13 to emit light passing through optical fiber 12.

[0010] Illuminated article 10 is shown as a fabric article such as lingerie and is therefore shown utilizing fabric fibers 18. However, the present invention may be utilized in other articles and mediums such as, but not limited to, artwork and other graphic presentations. Other material or methods may be utilized to create nodes 13.

[0011] Optical coupling 20 is formed of a material having the same or similar refractive index as optical fiber 12. Optical coupling) 20 may be formed of silicone, polyurethane, or other material suitable for the purpose of the invention. Optical coupling 20 may be applied to an article for functional connection to optical fiber 12 in a liquid form and cured to a solid using automated printing and robotic applicators. This decorative technique can be readily applied to any variety of articles such as apparel, intimate apparel, and other mediums. For utilization with intimate apparel it is desired that optical coupling 20 be deformable.

[0012] Use of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 1. Light is emitted from an LED (not shown) connected to a first end 14 of optical fiber 12. The light bounces randomly as it travels along the interior of optical fiber 12. At each node 13, light may escape when connected to optical coupling 20 of the same or similar refractive index of optical fiber 12. At these nodes a visible glow will occur. A sequin, plastic gem, or other material 22 having a similar refractive index may be connected to optical coupling 20 proximate nodes 13 to enhance the decorative impression of these light emissions.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a side view of an illuminated article of another embodiment of the present invention generally designated by the numeral 40. The embodiment of FIG. 2 is similar to that of FIG. 1 less optical coupling 20, although it should be recognized that variations may be utilized combining the features of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

[0014]FIG. 2 illustrates the utilization of bundles of optical fibers 12 connected to a light-emitting source (not shown). In this embodiment, light is emitted primarily from terminal ends 16. Terminal ends 16 are disposed throughout an article, shown as a woven fabric, to form a desired design. One may connect a gem or other element 22 (FIG. 1) via an optical coupling directly to one or more of terminal ends 16 to create further illumination effects.

[0015] From the foregoing description of alternative embodiments of the invention, including the drawings, it should be apparent that a method and apparatus for illuminating designs in combination with articles is provided. Although specific embodiments of the invention are shown herein, this has been done solely for the purposes of disclosing the invention in its various aspects, and is not intended to be limiting with the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. It is contemplated that various substitutions, alterations, and or modifications, including but not limited to the various design alternatives specifically discussed herein, may be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, optical fibers may be woven into an article, or may be permanently or removably connected to an article such as by an adhesive, embroidery, or as a permanent or temporary patch. The invention is not limited to utilization with intimate apparel but may be utilized in other applications such as traditional artwork. It may be desired to reduce the number of optical fibers for a particular design by utilizing nodes and optical couplings singularly or in combination with light emitted from the terminal ends of the optical fibers. Various light emitting devices may be utilized in connection with the optical fibers. Additionally, it may be desired to utilize integrated circuit chips or other circuitry to control the light patterns emitted. 

1. An article of clothing, such as intimate apparel, comprising: optical fiber through which light energy may be passed; a light source; the light source connected to the optical fiber to provide light energy through the optical fiber; an optical coupler; the optical coupler connected to the optical fiber at one or more predetermined locations along the fiber, or at the terminal end of the fiber, to increase the amount of light energy that may escape from the optical fiber.
 2. An article of clothing according to claim 1 further comprising: a gem or sequin connected to the optical coupler to enhance the decorative impression of the light energy emitted from the optical fiber.
 3. An article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein: the apparel is primarily comprised of optical fiber.
 4. An article of clothing according to claim 2 wherein: the apparel is primarily comprised of optical fiber.
 5. An article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein: the apparel is comprised of a combination of optical fiber and non-optical fiber clothing material such that the optical fiber is attached to or interwoven with the non-optical fiber clothing material.
 6. An article of clothing according to claim 2 wherein: the apparel is comprised of a combination of optical fiber and non-optical fiber clothing material such that the optical fiber is attached to or interwoven with the non-optical fiber clothing material.
 7. An article of clothing according to claim 1 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 8. An article of clothing according to claim 2 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 9. An article of clothing according to claim 3 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 10. An article of clothing according to claim 4 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 11. An article, of clothing according to claim 5 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 12. An article of clothing according to claim 6 wherein: the light source is a light emitting diode.
 13. An article of clothing according to claim 1 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 14. An article of clothing according to claim 2 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 15. An article of clothing according to claim 3 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 16. An article of clothing according to claim 4 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 17. An article of clothing according to claim 5 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 18. An article of clothing according to claim 6 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 19. An article of clothing according to claim 7 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 20. An article of clothing according to claim 8 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 21. An article of clothing according to claim 9 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 22. An article of clothing according to claim 10 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 23. An article of clothing according to claim 11 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source.
 24. An article of clothing according to claim 12 further comprising: an integrated circuit chip to control a random or predetermined pattern of light emitted from the light source. 